Controlled medications (also known as controlled substances) are pharmaceutical compounds that are strictly regulated by national and international authorities due to their potential for abuse, dependence, and misuse.
The classification, regulation, and legal control of these substances are based on binding international treaties administered under the United Nations framework, including:
- The Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961)
- The Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971)
- The Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1988)
The implementation of these treaties is monitored by the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), which also provides country-specific guidelines to support uniform compliance and regulatory oversight globally.
These treaties guide national laws such as the U.S. Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and similar frameworks internationally. Based on these conventions and INCB guidance, countries classify controlled substances into schedules or categories that reflect their medical utility and risk potential.